16-lower alkoxy lower alkyl,-16-20 w-pentano,pge

ABSTRACT

16 lower alkoxy lower alkyl -16-20 omega penta-nor PGE, has been prepared thereof.

United States Patent [191 260/340.5, 260/345.8, 260/468 J, 260/470, 260/471 A, 260/511 D, 260/516, 260/518 R,

Finch et a1. Oct. 22, 1974 lfi-LOWER ALKOXY LOWER 260/566 AE, 260/609 R, 424/305, 424/317 ALKYL,-l6-20 W-PENTANO, PGE [51] Int. Cl. C07c 69/74, C07c 69/36 [75] Inventors: Neville Finch, West Orange; Isidoros [58] new of Search 2.60/468 914 914 UA Vlattas, Summit, both of NJ. References Cited [73] Assrgnee: gIgA-GEIGY Corporation, Ardsley, OTHER PUBLICATIONS Fried et 211., JACS 93 5594 (1971). [22] Filed: Dec. 1, 1972 I [21] Appl 311,053 Primary Examiner-Robert Gerstl Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John J. Maitner; Joseph G. Related US. Application Data Kolodny [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 241.423. April 5,

1972, Pat. No. 3,798,275. 57 B T T 521 US. Cl 260/468 D, 260/326 5, 260/340.3, 16 alkoxy lower alkyl 7 has been prepared thereof.

3 Claims, N0 Drawings l6-LOWER ALKOXY LOWER ALKYL,-l6-20 W-PENTANO, PGE

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLlCATlONS This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 241,423, filed Apr. 5, 1972 now US. Pat. No. 3798275.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known that B-hydroxy-ketones are labile products, prone to dehydration. This holds true for the prostaglandins (PG) of the E E and E, series, which easily dehydrate to the corresponding products of the A and B series, known to be biologically differently acting or much less active than the former.

Therefore, special protecting groups have been devised for the oxo group therein, as well as in precursors of. these products, which prevent dehydration during synthetic manipulation, but allow the final regeneration of the desired B-hydroxyketone or any product obtainable therefrom.

Surprisingly, we have found new etherfied mercaptomethoxyamines, which are sufficiently stable to handle and are extremely useful for saidoxo-protecting purposes. Although said mercaptomethoxyamines contain two heteroatoms attached to a single, nonfunctionalized carbon atom and, therefore, would seem to be unstable, they turned out to be rather stable, sometimes even distillable hydroxylamine derivatives. They readily form oximes with either aldehydesor ketones, which are also rather stable in basic or moderately acidic media. They are cleaved, according to our new process, with mercuric salts in various media, to yield either the free oxo-compound directly, or the correspondingly etherified or esterified O- hydroxymethyloxime. The latter can either be hydrolyzed to the free oxime, or the aldehyde or ketone respectively, which latter step is illustrated in coinventors US. Pat. No. 3,532,721.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns and has for its object the provision of new etherified mercaptomethoxyamine compounds, more particularly of those corresponding to Formula I DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The 9-desoxo-PGE moiety R, or the equivalent analog thereof, is preferably that of Formula III HOv (III) wherein each of R and R is hydrogen or lower alkyl, R is a lower aliphatic or cycloaliphatic radical and R is hydrogen, one metal equivalent or a lower aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic radical. The term lower referred to above and hereinafter in connection with organic radicals or compounds respectively, defines such with up to 7, preferably up to 4, carbon atoms.

Accordingly, a lower aliphatic radical R R R R and R represents preferably lower alkyl, e.g., methyl, ethyl, nor i-propyl, -butyl, -pentyl, -hexyl or -heptyl; lower alkenyl, e.g., allyl or methallyl; or lower alkynyl, e.g., ethynyl or propargyl. Said lower cycloaliphatic radicals are preferably 3 to 7 ringmembered cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or (cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl)-lower alkyl groups, e.g. cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl; cyclopent-lenyl or cyclohex-l or 3- enyl; cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, lor 2- cyclopentylethyl; cyclopent-3-enylmethyl or cyclohexl-enylmethyl. Said araliphatic or aromatic radicals are preferably isocyclic, monocyclic radicals, such as phenyl-lower alkyl or phenyl groups, unsubstituted or substituted in the aromatic ring by one or more than one, especially one or two, of the same or different substituents, such as lower alkyl, e.g., methyl, ethyl, nor ipropyl or -butyl, lower alkoxy, e.gt, methoxy, ethoxy,

nor i-propoxy or -butoxy, lower alkylenedioxy, e.g., methylenedioxy, 1,1- or 1,2-ethylenedioxy, halogeno, e.g., fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo, trifluoromethyl, nitro or amino, such as di-lower alkylamino, e.g., dimethylamino or diethylamino. Said aliphatic radicals,

especially lower alkyl groups R can also be substituted by one of said lower alkoxy groups or one or up to the maximum number of halogen atoms, as is the case in trifluoromethyl, Z-(methoxy, ethoxy, chloro, bromo or iodo)-ethyl, -propyl or -butyl, 2,2-dichloro-ethyl, -propyl or -butyl, 3,3,3-trichloroethyl, 3-(methoxy, ethoxy, chloro or bromo)-propyl or -butyl, 4-(methoxy or chloro)-butyl. A lower alkylene group R +R is preferably ethylene, l,2- or l,3-propylene, 1,2-, 1,3-, l,4- or 2,3- butylene or l,2-, l,3-, 1,4-, 1,5-, 2,3- or 2,4-pentylene.

Preferred compounds of the invention are those of Formula I, in which R represents two hydrogen atoms or the radical of Formula III, each of R R and R is lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, 3 to 7 ringmembered cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or (cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl)-lower alkyl, each of R and R are also Ph-C H wherein Ph is phenyl, (lower alkyl)-phenyl, (lower alkoxy)-phenyl, (lower alkylenedioxy)-phenyl, (halogeno)-phenyl, (trifluoromethyl)-phenyl, (nitro)- phenyl or (di-lower alkylamino)-phenyl, and n is an integer from O to 4, R is also (lower alkoxy or halo)- alkyl or the acyl radical or a carboxylic acid, e.g., such lower alkyl and R also hydrogen, an alkali metal atom mentioned above, preferably lower alkanoyl, e.g., foror one equivalent of an alkaline earth metal, each of R myl. acetyl or propionyl. The processes according to R R and R are hydrogen or lower alkyl, or R is Ph, item d) are analogously carried out as described in US of 2 a are lower alkylen- 5 Pat. No. 3,532,721, but using compounds of Formula More preferred are those compounds of Formula I, Vl instead of the 2-substituted ethoxy-amines dewherein R represents two hydrogen atoms or the radiib d th r i cal of Formula Ill, R is C,,,H or Ph-C,,H wherein m is an integer from 1 to 4 Ph is Phenyl tolyl anisyl Accordingly the reaction according-to the g fi can be carried out either stepwise or, in case 8 IS yg gggg s g i g ggg g g fi g gg fi fif lggfi l0 drogen, in a single step, leaving the compounds of Forg or R 3 3 ethylene? 1 or 1 3 'propylene RY mula VII as a shortliving intermediate in the reaction z 3 mixture. In case R is different from hydrogen, said is lower alkyl, lower alkoxylakyl or perfluoro-lower alkyl and R is hydrogen, sodium, potassium or lower g9 fi f f f g' 1 l; d t +R t l t 4 ia,espec1a y or pun icatton purposes. ey can e a ky a van ageously R5 6 con am at 685 Carbon hydrolyzed either to the oxime R=N--OH or the 0x0 atoms.

Especially valuable are compounds of Formula 1, comPound R depfindmg on the PH of the aqueous medium chosen. At values over 7, for example in the wherein R represents two hydrogen atoms or the radical of Formula III, R, is methyl, benzyl, a-phenethyl or phenyl, each of R R R and R is hydrogen or methyl or R R, are ethylene or 1,3-butylene, R is t-butyl, n-pentyl, 2-ethoxyethyl or trifluoromethyl and R is hydrogen, sodium, potassium or alkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms.

carbonates, or the above-mentioned nitrogen bases, said oxime is obtained, whereas at values under 7, such as in mildly acidic aqueous solutions down to pH=2 of the above-mentioned acids, preferably in the presence of a hydroxylamine acceptor, such as formaldehyde, The compounds of Formula L wherein R represents 5 acetone levulinic or nitrous acid, the 0x0 compound two hydrogen atoms and the other symbols have the R=OJS- hberated' 7 meaning given above, are prepared according to the The above reaction steps are carried out according to following formula Scheme: standard methods, in the presence or absence of dilu- R R b RZC N b IV ase N-OH 9 1 -O NH VI c) v H N NH E R s W 7 v 1 i precursor fR and not ents, preferably such as are inert to reagents and are H2) wherein X is a halogen atom f bl chloro solvents thereof, of catalysts, condensing, neutralizing The base used in the second step b) is preferably a teror buffermg agents and/or inert atmospheres, at low tiary nitrogen base, such as a tri-lower alkylamine, e.g., temperatures, f) temPerature 0r Flevated p triethylamine, or an azacyclic aromatic base, e.g., pyrilures 'g' the boiling P the dlluems used, at dine or collidine, and the hydrazine used is preferably mosphel'lca superatmosphenc or reduced P a hydrate, eg" the monohydrme thereof- Thus, for example, step a) can be carried out in the The process according to the present invention can of diluent, as long as'the reactants are 1- be depicted as f ll u1ds. Otherwise steps a) as well as b) and c) are advanwherein Y is one anion equivalent of an inorganic or tageously carried out in polar diluents; preferably organic acid, preferably that of a mineral acid, such as ethers for a) and b) e.g., diethyl ether or tetrahydro a hydrohalic acid, e.g., hydrochloric or hydrobromic furan, and alcohols, such as lower alkanols for c). Step acid; sulfuric or perchloric acid; or an aliphatic, aralid) is advantageously carried out with acid addition salts phatic or aromatic carboxylic or sulfonic acid, such as of VI, such as those derived from inorganic or organic a lower alkanoic or aralkanoic acid, e.g., acetic, propiacids, e.g., those mentioned for Y in a liquid base or onic, benzoic or phenylacetic acid, or a lower alkane or neutralizizing agent respectively, such as the nitrogen benzenesulfonic acid, e.g., methane, ethane, benzene bases mentioned above. The media in steps e) and f) or p-toluenesulfonic acid, and R,, is hydrogen, lower have already been mentioned; for solubility purposes,

presence of alkali metal hydroxides, carbonates or bihowever, the presence of lower alkanols, e.g., methacontaining a center of asymmetry, separating the diastereomers obtained according to the above separation methods, and liberating the optically active products according to the process mentioned under items e) and The new ketones R=O, wherein R is that of Formula Ill, in which R R and R have the meaning given above, and R is tertiary lower alkyl, preferably t-butyl, lower alkoxyalkyl, preferably 2-ethoxyethyl, or halogeno-lower alkyl, such as perfluorolower alkyl, preferably trichloromethyl, are new and also considered part of this invention. Said compounds are prostaglandin-like smooth muscle contracting, hypotensive and luteolytic agents, useful in the dosage range known for the natural prostaglandins, for example, in the treatment or management of hypertension, asthma, and fertility. They are also valuable intermediates of other preparations, preferably of pharmacologically useful products.

The starting material used is known [e.g., U.S. pat. No. 3,532,721 or H. Bohme et al., Ann. 563, 54 (1949)] or can be prepared according to the methods illustrated in the examples therein.

The following examples illustrate the'invention, and are not to be construed as being limitations thereon. If not otherwise stated, all evaporations are carried out under reduced pressure. Temperatures are given in degrees Centigrade and the N.M.R. spectra are obtained from about 10 percent solutions in deuterochloroform at 60 Mc/s with Si(Cl-l as zero.

EXAMPLE 1 I 'To the mixture of 31.7 g of chloromethyldrate, 9.2 ml of water and 350 ml of 95 percent aqueous ethanol is refluxed for-4 hours and allowed to cool to room temperature. It is filtered, the filtrate evaporated and the residue taken up in the minimum amount of diethyl ether. The solution is allowed to stand at 0 overnight, filtered, the filtrate evaporated, the residue distilled and the fraction boiling at 54-55l mm Hg collected, to yield the methylmercaptomethoxyamine of the formula CH SCH ONH It is dissolved in the minimum amount of diethyl ether and the solution combined with ethereal hydrogen chloride until no further precipitate is formed. The mixture is filtered and the residue recrystallized from methanol-diethyl ether, to yield the 'methylmercaptomethoxyammonium chloride, melting at l49l5 1 with decomposition.

The mixture of 1.7 g thereof, 3.2 g of 2a-(6-methoxycarbonyl-hexyl)-3-oxo-5a-trimethylsiloxy-cyclopentane-carboxylic acid methyl ester and 55 ml of pyridine is stirred at room temperature overnight and evaporated. The residue is taken up in water, the mixture extracted with diethyl ether, the extract washed with water and 0.1N hydrochloric acid, dried and evaporated. The residue is taken up in chloroform, the solution chromatographed on 100 g of silica gel and the column eluted with chloroform-ethyl acetate (:5), to yield the mercaptomethoxyimino-5a-hydroxy-cyclopentane-- carboxylic acid methyl ester of the formula showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 4.50, 3.74 and 3.65 ppm.

0.64 g thereof are dissolved in 25 ml of methanol and 25 ml of 10 percent aqueous potassium carbonate are added. The mixture is refluxed for 2 hours and concentrated. The concentrate is extracted with diethyl ether, the aqueous layer'acidified with N-hydrochloric acid, saturated with sodium chloride and extracted with diethyl ether. The combined extracts are dried, filtered, concentrated and etherealdiazomethane is added until the yellow color persists. The mixture is evaporated, the residue chromatographed on 2 8 g of silica gel and the column eluted with methylene chloride-ethyl acetate (9:1), to yield the 2B-(6-methoxycarbonylhexyl)- 3-methylmercaptomethoxyimino-5,B-hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid methyl ester of the formula HO S- CH O- N coocn I 3 (cir -eoocH CH3S--CH2O-N r acid 2a-(6-methoxycarbonyl-hexyl)-3-methylooca (CH coocit CH 8- CH O- N showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 3.74, 2.24 and 1.55 ppm.

To the solution of 0.9 g thereof in 60 ml of anhydrous ethanol, 1.8 g of sodium borohydride are added portionwise and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Additional 0.9 g of sodium borohydride are added and the mixture stirred 2 hours longer. It is poured into ice water, the mixture extracted with diethyl ether, the extract dried and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with ethyl acetatemethylene chloride (3:7), to yield the 7B- [2oz-hydroxymethyl-3B-(Z-tetrahydropyranyloxy)-5- methylmercaptomethoxyimino-cyclopentyl]-heptanoic acid methyl ester of the formula CH -COOCH CH3-S'-CH2O-N 3 showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 5.14, 2.22, 1.62 and none at 3.74 ppm.

To the stirred mixture of 0.435 g thereof, 12 ml of dimethylsulfoxide and 12 ml of benzene, 0.128 ml of pyridine, 0.1 ml of trifluoroacetic acid and 1.8 g of 1- cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl)-carbodiimide metho-p-toluenesulfonate are added in this order while stirring at 4. The mixture is allowed to stand for 24 hours at this temperature and poured into ice water. The mixture is extracted with diethyl ether, the extract washed with water, dried, filtered andevaporated, to yield the 2B-(6-methoxycarbonyl-hexyl)-3- methylmercaptomethoxyimino-SB-(2- tetrahydropyranyloxy)-cyclopentane-carboxaldehyde of the formula I CHO (CH -COOCH CH3-S-CH2-ON 2 6 3 showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 9.73, 3.67 and 1.38 ppm.

To the solution of 0.337 g thereof in 40 ml of diethyl ether, 0.49 g of tri-n-butyl-phosphoranylidene-2- acid methyl ester of the formula (c111 COOCH CH3-S-CH2-O-N C=C-CH- (CHEM-CH3 l HOH CH S- CH O N showing in the spectrum peaks ;5120, 464 and 0.90 ppm.

To the solution of 60 mg thereof in 1 ml of methanol, 50 11.1 of 2N-hydrochloric acid are addedand the mixture stirred at room temperature overnight. It is diluted with ml of diethyl ether, washed with water and atwe sd que i ms wids dried, filtered and evaporated. The residue is subjected to preparative thin layer chromatography on silica gel plates (1 mm thick), eluted twice with ethyl acetate-methylene chloride (3:7) and of the two main fractions the slower moving isomer is isolated, to yield the 7B-[2a-(3B- hydroxyl -trans-octenyl )-3B-hydroxy-5- methylmercaptomethoxyimino-cyclopentyll-heptanoic acid methyl ester of the formula HO H t C=tl}-(l3H- (CH )uCH H OH (CH2)6-COOCH3 CH 8- CH O- N melting at 48-50.

To the solution of 82 mg thereof in 5.7 ml of acetic acid, 0.24 g of potassium acetate are added, followed by 0.275 g of mercuric chloride and 0.1 15 g of mercuric oxide and the mixture is stirred .at room temperature for /2 hour. It is diluted with acetone, hydrogen sulfide bubbled through, filtered and the residue washed with acetone. The filtrate is evaporated at room temperature, the residue taken up in water, the mixture extracted with diethyl ether, the extract dried and evaporated, to yield the 7fl-[2a-(3fi-hydroxy-l-transoctenyl)-3/3-hydroxy-S-acetoxymethoxyiminocyclopentyl]-heptanoic acid methyl ester, showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 5.60, 3.67 and 2.10 ppm.

To the solution of 34 mg thereof in 3 ml of methanol. 0.5 ml of 10 percent aqueous potassium carbonate are added and the mixture allowed to stand at room temperature for /2 hour. It is evaporated,the residue'taken up in water, the mixture extracted with diethyl ether, the extract dried, evaporated and the residue crystallized from diethyl ether-hexane, to yield the d,l-PGE, methyl ester oxime melting at 105-l07.

Variously to the solution of 68 mg of 7B-[2oz-(3B- hydroxy- 1 -trans-octenyl )-3B-hydroxy-5- acetoxymethoxyimino-cyclopentyl]-heptanoic acid methyl ester in 6.8 ml of methanol, 1.13 ml of 10 percent aqueous potassium carbonate are added and the solution allowed to stand at room temperature for 4 days. It is evaporated, the residue dissolved in 3.5 ml of glacial acetic acid, and 1.5 ml of 10 percent aqueous sodium nitrite are added at 10 while stirring. After 1 hour, the same amount of sodium nitrite is added and the mixture allowed to reach room temperature within 15 minutes. It is diluted with water, extracted with ethyl acetate-diethyl ether (3:1 the extract washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dried and evaporated at room temperature. The residue is taken up in 0.2 ml of ethyl acetate and the solution allowed to stand overnight at -50. The precipitate formed is separated and recrystallized from ethyl acetate, to yield a ,l-PGE melting at ll2-l 15.

EXAMPLE 2 The mixture of 63.4 g of chloromethyl-phenylsulfide, 81.5 g of N-hydroxyphthalimide, 49.6 g of triethylamine and 830 ml of tetrahydrofuran is refluxed for 15 hours. After cooling, it is filtered and the filtrate evaporated..The residue is taken up in methylene chloride, the mixture washed 5 times with 10 percent aqueous potassium bicarbonate and once with water, dried,

evaporated and the residue crystallized from diethyl 'filtrate evaporated and the residue taken up in the min imum amount of diethyl ether. The solution is cooled to additional precipitate filtered off and the filtrate evaporated. The residue is distilled and the fraction boiling at 8487/0.1 mm Hg collected, to yield the phenylmercaptomethoxyamine of the formula C l-1 5C H ON H It is dissolved in the minimum amount of diethyl ether and the solution combined with ethereal hydrogen chloride until no further precipitate is formed. The mixture is filtered and the residue recrystallized from methanol-diethyl ether, to yield the phenylmercaptomethoxyammonium chloride, melting at l-1 12 with decomposition.

The mixture of 2.05 g thereof, 2.3 g of 2oz-(6- methoxycarbonyl-hexyl)-3-oxo-5whydroxy-cyclopentane-carboxylic acid methyl ester and 63 ml of pyridine is stirred at room temperature overnight and evaporated at room temperature. The residue is taken up in water, the mixture extracted with diethyl ether, the extract washed with water, 0.2 N hydrochloric acid and water, dried, evaporated and the residue crystallized from diethyl ether-hexane, to yield the 2a-(6- methoxycarbonyl-hexyl)-3- phenylmercaptomethoxyimino-Sa-hydroxy-cyclopentane-carboxylic acid methyl ester melting at 53-55.

7.0 g thereof are added to the solution obtained from 250 ml of methanol and 0.105 g of sodium and the mixture is refluxed overnight under nitrogen. It is evaporated, the residue taken up in water, the mixture extracted with diethyl ether, the extract washed with water and saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dried, filtered and evaporated. The residue is chromato graphed on 400 g of silica gel and the column eluted with ethyl acetate-methylene chloride (5:95), to yield the 2B-(6-methoxycarbonylhexyl)-3- phenylmercaptomethoxyimino-5B hydroxycyclopentanecarboxylic acid methyl ester, showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 7.7-7.0, 5.45 and 4.35 p

The mixture of 3.2 g thereof, 210 ml of methylene chloride, 2.1 ml of dihydropyrane and 210 mg of picric acid is allowed to stand at room temperature overnight and evaporated. The residue is taken up in diethyl ether, the solution washed 4 times with 10 percent aqueous potassium .bicarbonate and once with water, dried and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed on g of silica gel and eluted with ethyl acetatemethylene chloride (1:9), to yield the 23-(6- methoxycarbonyl-hexyl)-3- phenylmercaptomethoxyimino-5,B-(2- tetrahydropyranyloxy)-cyclopentane-carboxylic acid methyl ester, showing in theN.M.R. spectrum peaks at 3.72, 3.66 and 1.62 ppm. I

To the solution of 3.7 g thereof in 200 ml of ethanol, 4.0 g of sodium borohydride are added at once and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for one hour. Additional 1.0 g of sodium borohydride are added and the mixture stirred 3 hours longer. lt is evaporated, the

residue taken up in water, the mixtureextracted with diethyl ether, the extract washed with cold water, dried and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with ethyl acetate-methylene chloride (3:7), to yield the 7B-['2a-hydroxymethyl-3B-(2- tetrahydropyranyloxy)-5- phenylmercaptomethoxyimino-cyclopentyll-heptanoic acid methyl ester, showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 3.67, 2.30, 1.35 and none at 3.72 ppm.

To the solution of 52 mg thereof in 5 ml of methylene chloride, mg of pyridine-chromium trioxide complex in 5 ml of methylene chloride are added at once and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. It is washed with water twice, dried, treated with charcoal, filtered and evaporated, to yield the 2B- (6-methoxycarbonyl-hexyl )-3- phenylmercaptomethoxyimino-5B-(2- tetrahydropyranyloxy) cyclopentane-carboxaldehyde, showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 9.75, 5.40 and 3.61 ppm. 9

To the solution of 0.405 g thereof in 20 ml of diethyl ether, 0.41 g of tri-n-butyl-phosphoranylidene-Z- heptanone are added and the mixture stirred at 'room temperature overnight. It is evaporated, the residue chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with ethyl acetate-methylene chloride (1:9), to yield the 7,8-[2a- (3-oxol -trans-octenyl )-3B-( 2-tetrahydropyranyloxy 5-phenylmercaptomethoxyimino-cyclopentyl]- heptanoic acid methyl ester, showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 9.75, 4.50 and 0.90 ppm.

To the solution of 0.425 g thereof in 40 ml of ethanol,

0.45 g of sodium borohydride are added during 5 minutes and the mixture is stirred under nitrogen for /2 hour at room temperature. It is poured into ice water, extracted with diethyl ether, the extract washed with water and saturated aqeuous sodium chloride, dried, filtered and evaporated, to yield the 7,8-[2a-(3fhydroxyl -trans-octenyl )-3,8-( 2- tetrahydropyranyloxy )-5-phenylmercaptomethoxyimino-cyclopentyl]-heptanoic acid methyl ester showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 5.60, l.64 and 0.90 ppm.

To the solution of 0.425 g thereof in 50 ml of methanol, 0.2 ml of 1N hydrochloric acid are added and the mixture allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. It is evaporated, the residue subjected to preparative thin layer chromatography on silica gel plates (1 mm thick), eluted twice with ethyl acetate-methylene chloride (3:7) and of the two main fractions the slower moving isomer is isolated, to yield the 7B-[2a-(3B- hydroxyl -trans-octenyl )-3B-hydroxy-5- phenymercaptomethoxyimino-cyclopentyl]-heptanoic acid methyl ester, melting at 52-54 after recrystallization from diethyl ether-hexane.

To the solution of 85 mg thereof in 5.7 ml of acetic acid, 238 mg of potassium acetate are added, followed by 272 ml of mercuric chloride and 1 13 mg of mercuric oxide and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for /.2 hour. It is diluted with acetone, hydrogen sulfide is bubbled through, filtered and the residue washed with acetone. The filtrate is evaporated at room temperature, the residue taken up in water, the mixture extracted with diethyl ether, the extract dried and evaporated, to yield the 7B-[2a-(3B-hydroxy-l-transoctenyl)-3B-hydroxy-5-acetoxymethoxy-iminocyclopentyl]-heptanoic acid methyl ester, which is identical with that obtainedaccording to Example 1 EXAMPLE 3 Through the mixture of 55.09 g of thiophenol and 44 g of acetaldehyde, anhydrous hydrogen chloride is bubbled for 3 hours at -l5, 5 g of calcium chloride are added and the mixture is allowed to stand at 0 for 2 hours. It is filtered, the residue washed with methylene chloride and the filtrate evaporated at room temperature, to yield the l-chloroethyl-phenylsulfide.

To the mixture of 86 g thereof, 97.8 g of N- hydroxyphthalimide and 400 ml of tetrahydrofuran, the solution of 58.6 g of triethylamine in 100 ml of tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise and the mixture refluxed for 15 hours. It is filtered cold, the filtration concentrated, the concentrate diluted with methylene chloride and the mixture washed 6 times with 10 percent aqueous potassium bicarbonate, dried, evaporated and the residue crystallized from diethyl ether, to yield the N- (l-phenylmercaptoethoxy)-phthalimide, melting at 63-67.

The mixture of g thereof, 2.24 g of hydrazine hydrate, 2.2 ml of water and 200 ml of 95 percent aqueous ethanol is refluxed for 4 hours and allowed to cool to room temperature. It is filtered. the filtrate evaporated and the residue taken up in the minimum amount of diethyl ether. The solution is allowed to stand at 0 overnight, filtered, the filtrate evaporated, the residue distilled and the fraction boiling at 7476/0.l mm Hg collected, to yield the l-phenylmercaptoethoxyamine of the formula C H SCIJHONH ln the analogous manner, the following compounds of Formula Vl are prepared from equivalent amounts of the corresponding starting materials:

No. R R2 R3 b.p./0.l m.p.

mm Hg phthalimide l benzyl H H 8689 102-103" 2 do. on., H 72-74 3 apheneth vl H H 1 10 l-l7-l 19 Instead of using monomeric aldehydes, also polymers thereof can be applied, e.g., paraformaldehyde.

EXAMPLE 4 To the solution of 0.405 g of 2B-(6-methoxycarbonylhexyl)-3-phenylmercaptomethoxyimino-SB- (2-tetrahydropyranyloxy)-cyclopentanecarboxaldehyde in 20 ml of diethyl ether, 0.365 g oftrin-butyl-phosphoranylidene-3,3dimethyl-2-butanone are added and the mixture stirred at room temperature overnight. It is evaporated, the residue chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with ethyl acetatemethylene chloride (1:9), to yield the 7B-[2a-(3-oxo- 4,4-dimethyll -trans-pentenyl )-3fi-( 2- tetrahydropyranyloxy)-5- phenylmercaptomethoxyimino-cyclopentyl]-heptanoic acid methyl ester of the formula (ca -oooca C H S- CH O- V showing in the N.M.R. spectrumpeaks at 7.7-6.5, 5.45 and 3.65 ppm.

C=C-CH-C CH Z 3 3 H OH (ca -CO0CH c H -SCH O-N 2 6 HOH (ca -cooca, c ll -s-ca o-N showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 7.70-7.00, 5.60 and 3.65 ppm.

To the solution of 125 mg thereof in 8.4 ml of acetic 1 acid, 355 mg of potassium acetate are added, followed by 405 mg of mercuric chloride and 355 mg of mercu- 3.60 and 1.24 ppm.

ric oxide and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for /2 hour. It is diluted with acetone, hydrogen sulfide bubbled through, filtered and the residue washed with acetone. The filtrate is evaporated at room temperature, the residue taken up in water, the mixture extracted with diethyl ether, the extract dried and evaporated, to yield the 7,8-[2a-( 3B-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyll trans-pentenyl )-3B-hydroxy-5- acetoxymethoxyiminocyclopentyll-heptanoic acid methyl ester, which is used as such without further purification.

To the solution of 95 mg thereof in 9.5 ml of methanol, 1.58 ml of 10 percent aqueous potassium carbonate are added and the solution allowed to stand at room temperature for 4 days. It is evaporated, the residue dissolved in 5 ml of glacial acetic acid, and 2 ml of 10 percent aqueous sodium nitrite are added at 10 while stirring. After 1 hour, the same amount of sodium nitrite is added and the mixture allowed to reach room temperature within 15 minutes. It is diluted with water, extracted with ethyl acetate-diethyl ether (3:1), the extract washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dried and evaporated at room temperature. The residue is subjected to preparative thin layer chromatography on silica gel plates (1 mm thick), eluted with benzene-dioxane-acetic acid (5:5:025) and the main fraction with Rf 0.57 isolated, to yield the 7am- (ca -cooa EXAMPLE 5 To the solution of 0.2 g of 2B-(6-methoxycarbonylvhexyl)-3-phenylmercaptomethoxyimino-5B-(2- tetrahydropyrany1oxy( cyclopentane-carboxaldehyde in 12 ml of diethyl ether, 0.3 g of tri-n-butylphosphoranylidene-4-ethoxy-2-butanone are added and the mixture stirred at room temperature overnight. It is evaporated under reduced pressure, the residue subjected to preparative thinlayer chromatography on silica gel and eluted with ethyl acetatemethylene chloride (1:9) and the UV-active portion with Rf 0.60 eluated with methanol-ethyl acetate (1:1), to yield the 7B-[201-(3-oxo-5-ethoxy-1-trans-pentenyl)-3B-2- tetrahydropyranyloxy-S- phenylmereaptomethoxyimino cyclopentyl]-heptanoic acid methyl ester of the formula showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 7.25, 5.40,

To the solution of 0.21 g thereof in 15 ml of ethanol, 0.225 g of sodium borohydride are added in five portions during five minutes and the mixture stirred for a half hour at room temperature. It is poured into ice water, extracted with diethyl ether, the extract dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in 30 ml of methanol, 1 ml of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid are added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 15 hours. It is evaporated under reduced pressure, the residue taken up in diethyl ether, the solution washed with water, dried and evaporated. The residue is subjected to preparative thin-layer chromatography on silica gel, developed three times with methylene chloride-ethyl acetate (7:3) and the polar fraction with Rf 0.30 eluted with ethyl acetatemethanol (1:1), to yield the 7B-[2d-(3/3-hydroxy-5- ethoxy-1-trans-pentenyl)-3B-hydroxy-5- phenylmercaptomethoxyimino-cyclopentyl]-heptanoic acid methyl ester of the formula i showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 7.30, 5.30,

. 3.66 and 2.50 ppm.

The less polar fraction with Rf 0.50 yields the c- IS-epi-analog thereof showing in the N.M.R. spectrum 7 hydroxy-5-oxocyclopentyl]-heptanoic acid of the formula H OH (CH2)6COOH showing in the N.M.R. spectrum peaks at 5160, 2:25 and 1.l6 ppm, as well as the C-lS-epimer thereof.

Procedure: All the solid ingredients, except the drug substance,

are dissolved in 13 it of water at 90 until dissolved and the solution is allowed to cool to room temperature. Then the drug substance is added while stirring for minutes, followed by the necessary amount of the buffer solution, to obtain a pH of 7.4. The solution is made up to 17 It with water, sterile filtered and 2 ml aliquots thereof are filled aseptically into sterile ampoules, which are flame sealed.

We claim:

1. The new ketone of the formula (cH -cooR HOW u 5 R6 CH2)6COOR7 i in which each of R and R are hydrogen or lower alkyl,

wherein Ph is phenyl, (lower alkyl)-phenyl, (lower al koxy)-phenyl, (lower alkylenedioxy)-phenyl, (halogeno)-pheny1, (trifluoromethyl)-phenyl, (nitro)-phenyl or (di-lower alkylamino)-phenyl, and n is an integer from 0 t0 4, in which definitions the term lower" detimes the respective organic radicals with up to 4 carbon atoms.

2. A compound as claimed in claim 1, in which formula each of R and R are hydrogen or alkyl, R; is alkoxyalkyl and R is hydrogen, sodium, potassium or alkyl, wherein alkyl or alkoxy contains up to 4 carbon atoms.

3. A compound as claimed in claim 1, in which formula each of R and R are hydrogen or methyl, R is Z-ethoxyethyl and R is hydrogen, sodium, potassium or alkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms. 

1. THE NEW KETONE OF THE FORMULA
 2. A compound as claimed in claim 1, in which formula each of R4 and R5 are hydrogen or alkyl, R6 is alkoxyalkyl and R7 is hydrogen, sodium, potassium or alkyl, wherein alkyl or alkoxy contains up to 4 carbon atoms.
 3. A compound as claimed in claim 1, in which formula each of R4 and R5 are hydrogen or methyl, R6 is 2-ethoxyethyl and R7 is hydrogen, sodium, potassium or alkyl with up to 4 carbon atoms. 